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Phlegm after esophogectomy
My husband had chemo and radiation treatment followed by esophogectomy. Through this process he lost 88 lbs. his surgery was March 21, 2024.
He now has no signs of cancer anymore. But he is having difficulty eating because of all the phlegm. One day he can manage to eat something, usually a soup, but the phlegm is so bad he ends up throwing everything up. Then one day he can manage to get something down. All during the treatments before surgery he could do protein shakes and water with know problem. But now with the phlegm he has great difficulty.
Does anyone have any suggestions how to manage the phlegm? We have tried allergy medications, nasal spray, gargling with salt water, diffuser with eucalyptus oil, but nothing seems to work. It is causing coughing and vomitting in spells. Which gets depressing and frustrating.
Any one else have this problem?
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Very common... and at 5 months he's just getting going on his post-op journey... will last another 18 months or so... many changes come even in the second year post-op. Yes... the post-op journey is quite depressing as the body slowly re-wires itself after vagus nerves are severed. In the meantime... experiment all you want... doesn't hurt... but little meaning to it all because what doesn't work today may be just fine in another 3 months. Don't get down. In the meantime, take some OTC Mucinex... usually helps a bunch. I'll assume he doesn't have a cold or flu or Covid or some other infection.
And never think you're in the clear... getting to one year still declared as NED is a biggie. Getting to two years NED really has meaning. Scans and blood tests and endoscopies will tell the tale. I'm come privately to chat as well. Hang tough.
Gary
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1 ReactionFollow Gary’s advice. I am almost three years out from surgery and have had all the experiences you describe. For me, mucinex helped. I now eat a pretty normal diet and have put on weight. It has taken some time but feeling pretty normal.
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1 ReactionThank you, Gary! He has been discouraged and very frustrated with this. He has trouble getting any medication down to stay because of the phlegm but I will encourage him to continue and have patience.
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2 ReactionsWrigley-thank you for your response and encouragement!
Just jump on the Zoom calls... just us patients helping each other.
Sundays, 9am Eastern
Wednesdays, 6pm Eastern
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4550284795?pwd=UjBHQ0J2V1pOc21SOExTR2N1UXNpQT09
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1 ReactionI had the same cancer surgery in 2020 & have been dealing with a runny nose for a long time since. Seems odd that it would be associated with esophageal cancer surgery. My geriatrician said many seniors have issues with runny noses. It could be that the fluid is going from the back of the nose to the back of the throat. Check with your doctor if any of the drugs currently being taken contain a medication that has a reputation for causing runny noses.
P.S Nice response from Gary!
Bea4me-thank you, I will ask.
I did ask oncologist if he had any recommendations. He suggested to use Flonase and something from a health food store along with allergy medication. It is helping a tiny bit if he can get it down to stay.